Russian MFA 🇷🇺

🎙Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the Government Hour during the Plenary Session of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation(February 11, 2026) Read in full 💬Sergey Lavrov: Russia is defending its legitimate rights in the emerging #MultipolarWorld amid intense competition. We are often compelled to do so despite the Western minority’s reluctance to curb its excessive ambitions. Russia engages respectfully with those prepared to work on the basis of sovereign equality and other principles of international law. Such countries constitute the #GlobalMajority. They are our reliable and promising partners. The West, however, has yet to rid itself of its obsession with colonial – and, I dare say, slave-owning – grandeur. The dramatic events of the beginning of 2026, including the armed invasion of Venezuela by the US, increased American pressure on Cuba, attempts to destabilize Iran, and the crisis around Greenland, have confirmed our assessment that the world has entered an era of rapid and profound change. The central trend toward a more just and sustainable multipolar system will be accompanied by a struggle between the “old” former leaders – concentrated in the West – and the rising centres of development representing the Global Majority. This struggle is gaining momentum and affects virtually all regions. Viewed through this perspective, it becomes clear why a former colonial power such as France seeks to undermine nationally oriented governments in the Sahel and other parts of Africa. Berlin is not far behind, driven by revanchist ambitions. 🤔 The current generation of German, French and other European politicians seems to have forgotten the “outcomes” of Poltava, Berezina, Stalingrad and the Kursk Bulge. The state of strategic stability remains a matter of concern. A number of European Russophobes continue to groundlessly blame Russia for its deterioration. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin’s initiative proposing continued voluntary compliance by the parties to New START with its core quantitative limits has received no official response from the US. ☢️ We proceed from the understanding thatthe moratorium declared by President Putin remains in force – but only as long as the US does not exceed those limits. We will defend truth and law in all contacts with our international partners. We will provide political and diplomatic support to ensure the achievement of all the goals and objectives of the special military operation. ❗️We consistently emphasize that a sustainable settlement of the crisis provoked by the “collective West” in Ukraine is impossible without eliminating its root causes. Unlike those who, in President Putin’s words, claim the “right of might” to dictate their will, lecture others and issue orders, we threaten no one and impose our views on no one. On the contrary, our diplomacy consistently advances honest, equal and mutually beneficial partnerships with all who are prepared to engage on these principles. Our strategic partnerships and allied relations with our neighbours – the #CIS and #CSTO member states – play a key role in ensuring national security and maintaining regional stability. We will continue to further develop these ties.

⚡️ Following the Security Council’s discussion of the activities of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (#UNRCCA), the Russian Side, traditionally acting as the informal penholder on this dossier, prepared a draft press statement. However, Western members of the Council, including the US, the UK, Denmark and Latvia, once again insisted on removing from the text a paragraph devoted to UNRCCA’s cooperation with the #CSTO, the #CIS and the #SCO. As a result, the Russian delegation was compelled to discontinue work on the document. ❗️Cooperation with the said regional organizations constitutes one of UNRCCA’s core functions. The positive role of the CSTO, the CIS and the SCO in ensuring stability and development in Central Asia has repeatedly been acknowledged by the UN Secretariat and UN Member States, including the Central Asian Five. The unwillingness of certain Security Council members to accept the realities on the ground, guided by their own narrow self-serving interests, is a clear manifestation of “double standards” and highlights the high degree of politicization underlying such counterproductive initiatives. The Russian Side will continue to promote deeper, depoliticized and professional dialogue between the UN and constructive regional organizations, in strict accordance with the letter and spirit of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter.

📺Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with NTV television channel(Moscow, February 10, 2026) Key points: • President Vladimir Putinhas repeatedly addressed the unfolding global processes. These are objectively shaped by the entire course of history and contemporary developments – where, after 500 years of Western dominance, sustained through slavery and colonialism at the expense of others, a multipolar order is now emerging to replace that system. • Countries such as China, India, and Brazil, alongside integration blocs like the #GCC and such Eurasian sub-regional groupings as ASEAN, our post-Soviet structures, such as the #CIS, the #CSTO, the #EAEU, and the Union State of Russia and Belarus – are increasingly asserting themselves as influential actors on the international stage, not only in economic, trade, and financial spheres but politically as well. • Europe persists in attempting to dictate its approaches across the Eurasian continent, blatantly obstructing and undermining the natural processes of cooperation between Russia and Central Asian states, as well as our allies in the South Caucasus. Europe is aggressively pushing into the Black Sea region, disregarding the existing Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The same applies to the Arctic. • Certain analysts suggest that the United States will now leave Europe to its own devices, seek to pacify the Middle East – halting yet another war – and negotiate with Russia to remove the Ukrainian issue from the agenda. • We find it important to guarantee our national interests. We agree with the administration of Donald Trump that the foreign policy of normal major powers, especially such as the United States and Russia, should be based on national interests. • If we analyse practical steps taken by US President Donald Trump and his team with regard to Russia during the Trump administration’s second tenue in the White House, then we can see that we are moving in the wrong direction. • The root causes [of the Ukraine crisis] will not go anywhere unless we consider eliminating them in any peace agreement we may sign. We are ready to do that. We have said many times that President Trump publicly recognised our interest in NATO not expanding any farther. That is a huge step. No other Western leader has ever said that publicly, while he has reiterated it on several occasions. • The recognition of territories is an issue that arises directly from these root causes, as these territories came under Russian control following attempts to threaten our security and to persecute the people who had lived there for centuries. • If, contrary to expectations, Europe does implement its threats to prepare for war against us and attacks the Russian Federation, we will not launch, as President Vladimir Putin has put it, another special military operation. Our response will be a full-blown military retaliation involving all available forces and assets in keeping with the doctrinal documents to this effect. • We will closely follow what the American side will do now that formal restrictions [of strategic offensive arms] are no longer in place. We will treat this situation with full responsibility and we will not be the first to escalate. • [Epstein files] have nothing to do with the diplomatic work. It has everything to do with exposing the countenance known as the collective West. It’s no longer called the Deep State, but a deep alliance that rules the entire West and is trying to rule the rest of the world. Any right-minded person would agree that this is pure Satanism and is beneath human comprehension. Read in full

📺 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’sgreetings and video message on Diplomats’ Day (February 10, 2026) 💬 Friends, Today marks Diplomats’ Day, our professional holiday. I would like to use this occasion to wish a happy holiday to all Russian diplomats who are working at the Central Office and territorial offices, and diplomats fulfilling their duty abroad. The history of Russian diplomacy spans many centuries and follows every stage of Russia becoming stronger as a state. Times change, but our spiritual and moral values — sincere, dedicated, and selfless devotion to the Fatherland, and firm commitment to the ideals of truth and justice — remain unshakeable. We are rightfully proud of the achievements of our outstanding predecessors. We honour the courage of the staff of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs who, during the tumultuous years of the Great Patriotic War, took arms to defend the Motherland. Their immortal feat stands as a benchmark for Foreign Ministry personnel and staff of subordinate institutions participating in the special military operation. Other ministerial staff members are also involved and are helping the front line soldiers and their families, and supporting those affected by crimes committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis. Today, as we are witnessing another turning point in history, Russian diplomacy continues to do everything within its power to ensure safe and favourable external conditions for Russia’s steady domestic development and for improving the quality of life of its people. In many ways, our consistent and balanced foreign policy course sets the trajectory of global transformations, thus facilitating the emergence of a new multipolar world order. We seek to further develop honest and equitable international cooperation based on mutual understanding, trust, and neighbourliness. Following President Putin’s initiative, we are working to establish, across the Eurasian region, architecture of equal and indivisible security and extensive practical cooperation. In this context, we attach particular importance to the conclusion and implementation of bilateral agreements, including our treaties on security guarantees with Belarus and on comprehensive strategic partnership with the DPRK and Iran. We continue to expand relations across multiple areas with the World Majority, among them countries such as China, India, and other like-minded countries, our strategic partners and allies, primarily within the #CSTO, the #EAEU, and the #CIS, as well as the #SCO and #BRICS. Countering neo-colonial practices of all kinds ranging from unilateral coercive measures to military interventions remains firmly in our focus. In this context, we reaffirm our solidarity with the peoples of Venezuela and Cuba. We are convinced that only they can determine their own future. ☝️ The country’s leadership and Russian society hold our work to high standards. We are required to demonstrate discipline and dedication, as well as a passionate and creative approach to our duties. I trust that you will continue to work honourably for the good of the Fatherland and to contribute your share to addressing large-scale foreign policy goals set by the President. On this day, we express special gratitude to former ministerial employees, who taught us the fundamentals of diplomacy by their example. Many of them, to the extent of their abilities, remain active in the close-knit diplomatic ranks. By all means, I would like to separately thank all the relatives and loved ones of our employees. Your unconditional support gives us strength and keeps us focused. It is especially important for those who carry out their diplomatic service far from the Motherland. Once again, happy Diplomats’ Day to all. I wish you excellent health, well-being, and new accomplishments for the benefit of the Fatherland. #DiplomatsDay

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview to the TV BRICS international media network (Moscow, February 9, 2026) Read in full Key talking points • The global arena is undergoing a transformation that began some time ago with the objective transition toward a multipolar world order. This is neither the bipolarity of the Soviet-American era with the Warsaw Pact and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, nor the unipolarity that emerged after the Soviet Union’s collapse. <...> Multiple centres of rapid economic growth, power, and financial and political influence have thus emerged. • It is equally important that we develop action plans tailored for each partner country covering trade and economic cooperation, investment, scientific collaboration, and coordinated activity on the international stage, including at the United Nations and other organisations, based on agreements reached between presidents and prime ministers. Particular attention is devoted to #CIS, #EAEU, #CSTO, and the post-Soviet space at large. This day-to-day work relies on long-term planning and delivers tangible mutual benefits to both Russia and its partners. • Multiple centres of rapid economic growth, power, and financial and political influence have thus emerged. The world is being reshaped through competition. The West is reluctant to relinquish its formerly dominant positions. • Safeguarding security demands sustained action to ensure that the Nazi state established on our borders in Ukraine – and supported by the West as a vehicle for renewed confrontation – cannot continue to exist in its present form. Nazi foundations must be eliminated. We will ensure, and I have no doubt about it, our own security interests, by preventing the deployment on Ukrainian territory of any weapons threatening us, and, second, by guaranteeing reliable and full protection for the rights of Russian and Russian-speaking people, who have been living in Crimea, Donbass and Novorossiya for centuries, and whom the Kiev regime that came to power after a coup declared subhuman “species” and “terrorists” and unleashed a civil war against. • Russia chaired#BRICS in 2024. At that time, a summit was held in Kazan, and a number of our initiatives were put into action: alternative payment platforms, payment mechanisms in national currencies, the creation of reinsurance opportunities for trade within BRICS and between the association and its partners, the creation of a grain exchange, and a new investment platform. All this is not to spite anyone, especially the United States. This is due to the fact that the United States seeks to bring all processes in the areas I mentioned under its strict control and demands unilateral concessions. Without giving up contacts with them, to the extent that they are willing to engage on a mutually beneficial basis, we are interested, together with our BRICS partners, in creating an architecture that will not be subject to the illegal actions of one or another player from the Western flank. • The Greater Eurasian Partnership was bound to appear on the agenda. Many years ago, at the 2015 Russia – #ASEAN Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested this term which is based on an objective trend of Eurasia becoming the biggest, richest and fastest-growing continent, especially its Pacific part. It is the most heavily-populated continent which, importantly, has seen several great civilisations emerge and continue to exist – the Chinese, Indian, Arab, Persian and Russian civilisations. ☝️ It is for a reason that our initiative on building a common Eurasian security architecture, set forward by President Putin in 2024, is gaining momentum. It is increasingly attracting interest.

❗️Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement on the beginning of Russia’s CSTO Presidency On January 1, 2026, Russia assumed the presidency of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (#CSTO) and will hold it under the motto, Collective Security in a Multipolar World: Common Goal, Shared Responsibility. Together with our CSTO allies, we are joining forces to uphold our common approaches to resolving international security issues. The fundamental documents of the Organisation set forth the principles of peaceful co-existence of states, the priority of a political and diplomatic settlement, and compliance with the international law with the UN playing a leading role. This forms the foundation for working with our partners to forge mutually beneficial relations and to actively engage in shaping the contours of a future architecture of equal and indivisible security across the Eurasian space. The CSTO could become one of its pillars. We would like the Eurasian states to take responsibility for resolving security issues and determine the future of the continent themselves, without any outside interference. The Collective Security Treaty Organisation has emerged as a prominent and respected association of allied states, whose activities are not directed against anyone, do not contain any aggressive aspirations, and aim exclusively to maintain regional stability and ensure the wellbeing of its member states. Moreover, all decisions in the Organisation are made by consensus based on a balance of interests, and cooperation is based on the principles of respect for each other, good neighbourliness, genuine friendship and mutual support. 🤝Russia will ensure continuity in the development of main areas of cooperation, among other things, by continuing to work on implementing the initiatives of the presidency of the Kyrgyz Republic which has just finished. In view of geopolitical tension, we will strive to further consolidate CSTO member states, strengthen allied ties, and deepen coordination on key international matters. We will continue our policy of expanding the CSTO’s network of contacts with the Eurasian states and their integration associations. Our efforts will focus on effectively fulfilling the Organisation’s primary mission which consists of maintaining peace and stability in its area of responsibility, ensuring favourable conditions for safe development and prosperity of the CSTO member states. No one should have any doubts: we will not allow any chaos in our common home. We attach great importance to the development of the enforcement dimension in the Organisation’s work. There are plans to focus on building up the capabilities of the Collective Forces of the CSTO, equipping them with up-to-date and compatible weapons and equipment. The work will be structured in accordance with the nature of current and potential challenges, taking into consideration the experience of present-day armed conflicts. We will pay special attention to cooperation in protection against biological threats and information security. Ensuring technological leadership in the military sphere, developing military-industrial complexes of the CSTO countries and promoting their cooperation, and fulfilling the innovative potential will also be among our priorities. We intend to use a wider range of tools for jointly countering international terrorism and extremism, money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as combating illicit drug and arms trafficking, transnational organised crime, and illegal migration. <...> We are confident in the support of our partners in implementing the priorities of the Russian presidency, and ready to work closely together and productively in 2026. I am convinced that through joint efforts we will bring cooperation within the CSTO to a new level to preserve and strengthen peace in the Organisation’s space. Read in full

#CSTO2026 🇷🇺On January 1, Russia is assuming the chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (#CSTO) ❗️President of Russia Vladimir Putin recently presented the priorities of Russia’s chairmanship: 🔹 to consolidate the CSTO member states, shaping favourable conditions for their safe and steady development; 🔹 to improve the performance of the CSTO bodies; 🔹 to strengthen the role of interparliamentary cooperation in collective security; 🔹 to develop collective security resources with due consideration for the anticipated changes in global military and political affairs and in the CSTO collective security regions; 🔹 to expand cooperation in military medicine and biological threat protection; 🔹 to enhance the coordination of efforts to counter international terrorism and extremism, illegal drug and arms trafficking; 🔹 to advance the CSTO’s potential in combating transnational organised crime, the legalisation of criminal income, and the funding of terrorism; 🔹 to intensify cooperation in international cybersecurity; 🔹 to enhance efforts against illegal migration; 🔹 to prepare for the 2️⃣5️⃣th anniversary of the CSTO and the 3️⃣5️⃣th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty, both marked in 2027. *** 👩🏻‍💻The official website of Russia’s CSTO chairmanship will be launched on January 1, with regular CSTO news and updates. 📹 We are also presenting a video marking the start of Russia’s CSTO chairmanship. We thank our colleagues from the Mir International Television and Radio Company for producing the video.

🗓 On December 25, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chaired a regular meeting of an interdepartmental working group on preparations for and support of the Russian Federation’s chairship of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation in 2026. The meeting took place at the Russia's Foreign Ministry and was attended by representatives of the Presidential Executive Office, federal executive authorities and organisations involved in this work. Taking into account the outcomes of the #CSTO Collective Security Council session held in Bishkek on November 27, 2005, and objectives related to the implementation of the decisions adopted at the session, the meeting participants approved a plan of activities for Russia’s CSTO chairship in 2026. The participants also discussed progress in preparations for the key events of Russia’s chairship, including the Moscow Summit of the CSTO and the International Forum for Collective Security, scheduled to take place in the Russian capital in November 2026.

⚡️Article by Mikael Agasandyan, Director of the First CIS Countries Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, published in Eurasian Dialogue(December 22, 2025) Read in full ✍️A prosperous and dynamic business sector is undoubtedly one of the key system-forming drivers across a wide range of areas. Creating the most favourable conditions for entrepreneurship, including in the external dimension, is a strategic priority. Supporting Russian participants in foreign economic activity through diplomatic and international-legal instruments has therefore become one of the core tasks of Russia's Foreign Ministry. In practical terms, efforts are focused on the consistent advancement of economic integration processes, improving the legal and regulatory framework, strengthening interstate trade ties and technological sovereignty, and facilitating dialogue between regions and the business community. The principal driving force behind dynamic progress on the economic track is joint work with partners within regional multilateral structures involving Russia – the #EAEU, the #CIS and, to a certain extent, taking into account its specific mandate, the CSTO. #EAEU The flagship project in this regard is the Eurasian Economic Union – not only as an economic organization, but also as the most deeply integrated interstate association with supranational regulation. The #EAEU’s external trade activities open up broad opportunities for business, primarily through the conclusion of free trade agreements with third countries. The Eurasian Development Bank (#EDB) has a substantial set of instruments to support and promote entrepreneurship. The EDB provides financing and/or technical assistance for projects that generate or strengthen an integration effect within the region. Particular attention should also be paid to the EAEU Business Council. Its work is aimed at establishing direct links between entrepreneurs, fostering a favourable business environment, promoting trade-economic, industrial and investment cooperation, and supporting the EAEU’s external trade agenda. #CIS The economic dimension is likewise a key pillar of cooperation within the CIS. An extensive legal framework has been established, an integral component of which is the Free Trade Area Agreement of October 18, 2011, ensuring the functioning of a full-fledged free trade regime for goods. According to the CIS Interstate Statistical Committee, the foreign trade turnover of CIS countries reached USD 1.1 trillion in 2024. Special mention should be made of the statement on the inadmissibility of the use of unilateral restrictive measures in international relations, approved at the meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers on October 7, 2024. <…> #CSTO Within the CSTO framework, member states attach particular importance to military-economic and industrial cooperation, which is directly linked to the development of national defence-industrial complexes and the corresponding logistics and supply systems of the armed forces of the Organization’s member states. In the spirit of alliance and commitment to shared objectives, and with due regard for the national interests of each member state, painstaking work continues to further integrate and consolidate the efforts and competencies of defence-sector enterprises and organizations across the CSTO area, as well as to create the necessary conditions for implementing joint projects in priority fields. ☝️ In conclusion, despite the progress achieved, considerable reserves for further economic development within our common space remain untapped. The experience and resources of our regional structures are especially in high demand in the context of implementing the initiative of Russia's President Vladimir Putin to form a Greater Eurasian Partnership (#GEP). #Eurasia4You

🇷🇺🇰🇿 Following the informal meeting of CIS leaders,Russia's President Vladimir Putinheld a bilateral meeting with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev(December 22, 2025) 💬Vladimir Putin: Mr Tokayev, We began working together yesterday, and today we had the opportunity to devote half a day to informal discussions of our joint work within the #CSTO, the #CIS, and on bilateral matters. However, I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet with you separately and to discuss the issues that both you and I regard as priorities for the development of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Russia. Overall, in my view, the situation is developing positively in virtually all areas. We do not have a single contentious or difficult issue, although, of course, at this level of interaction there are always many practical questions to address. I very much value the opportunity to discuss all of these matters with you. #RussiaKazakhstan